UNITED STATES

Riots reported at Venezuelan jail holding Utah man

May 16, 2018, 4:25 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm

...

VENEZUELA — A former LDS Missionary who grew up in Riverton made a plea for help on Facebook Wednesday, as he claimed the Venezuelan jail he’s being held in has fallen in riots, and people are trying to kill him.

In two videos posted on his Facebook page,  Josh Holt begged the U.S. Government to get him out of the Venezuelan jail he’s been held in for the last two years.

“I need your help to get me out of this place,” Holt said, “Now my life is threatened. How long do I have to suffer here? How long do my kids have to go asking for Mommy and Daddy?”

In a message posted right after those videos, Holt said the jail is under attack and people have threatened his life.

“Helicoide the prison where I am at has fallen the guards are here and people.are trying to break in my room and kill me. WHAT DO WE DO?” Holt wrote, “People here are dying we need help please send me help please send people to save me.”

Within about an hour of the post, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s office confirmed that he heard the reports and was working to verify them.

“Senator Hatch has been aware of Josh’s situation throughout the day and been in communication with Josh’s family, the Trump administration, and contacts in Venezuela,” Hatch’s office said in a statement. “He remains focused on Josh’s safety as we work to bring him home on humanitarian grounds.”

Rep. Mia Love’s office also responded, saying that her team has been able to confirm the jail holding Joshua Holt, is being threatened by riots and violence.

“I am extremely concerned about this situation, but have been assured that Josh is safe at this time,” Love said in a written statement.”Immediately upon hearing what happened, I responded to his heartbreaking pleas for help with a personal phone call to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  I am also in contact with the White House, the NSC (National Security Council), and the State Department.   It is time for the State Department to quickly produce a plan of action in order to resolve this situation once and for all.”

Roughly two hours after Holt’s Facebook pleas, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas also released a statement on Twitter.

Translated from Spanish, the statement says roughly, “Very worried for Josh Holt and other Americans held at the prison. Venezuela and its government is responsible for the safety of Josh Holt and other Americans and will be held responsible if something happens to them. We call on the government that they free him for humanitarian reasons.”

Holt was arrested in Venezuela on June 30, 2016, after local officials say they caught the man stashing assault rifles and grenades while plotting to undermine the President, Nicolas Maduro. His family claims Holt was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Holt’s wife, Teresa Calena, was also arrested but is being held in a different jail.

For months, Hatch’s office has confirmed they’ve been working with the Venezuelan government to release Holt. The State Department issued a call for Holt’s release last November over concern about his health. The department claimed Holt had also been barred from scheduled court appearances.

The pressure to release the man increased again last December, after word that Holt became sick in the jail and was denied hospital care.

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

United States

2017 GMC Acadia crossover SUVs are revealed at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in J...

Ramishah Maruf, CNN

US wants a recall of 67 million airbag inflators

NHTSA cited at least nine incidents of airbags manufactured by Knoxville-based ARC Automotive rupturing, leading to significant injuries or even death.

11 months ago

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)...

CNN

Biden facing political pressures from both parties over handling of migration challenge

President Joe Biden is coming under sustained pressure from both sides over the administration's handling of the expiration of Title 42.

11 months ago

people at restaurant eating on mother's day pictured...

Alexandra Peers, CNN

Why Mother’s Day is the most hated day in the restaurant industry

The National Retail Federation forecasts that Mother's Day spending will reach $35.7 billion this year, with a record $5.6 billion spent on a meal or outing.

11 months ago

Migrants stand near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river...

Dakin Andone and Priscilla Alvarez, CNN

Title 42 has expired. Here’s what happens next

The new asylum rule is already facing a legal challenge as the ACLU and other immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.

11 months ago

...

LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer

Mommy blogger Heather Armstrong, known as Dooce to fans, dead at 47

Armstrong had laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her site, Dooce.com, and on social media since 2001.

11 months ago

A phlebotomist  collects vials of blood from an intravenous line from a patient who is donating blo...

Brenda Goodman, CNN

FDA finalizes new risk-based rules for blood donors, creating a path for more gay donors

Before the FDA revised its rules, all men who have sex with men faced lifetime bans on blood donation.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Riots reported at Venezuelan jail holding Utah man